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Tag: Dan Stevens

Everyone is familiar with the story of Beauty and the Beast, so it’s always a special treat when a new release comes out on video, especially with the FX cropping up weekly. I planned on going with a Meetup Group, sort of a girls’ night out, without kids. I cried a few times and was relieved my kids didn’t see me blubber like a baby. Of course, if I’d gone to the correct theater, the group would have seen me sobbing. That’s right, I was in my recliner watching the movie all alone. I was also relieved I was alone when 1/4 of the way through, I realized I had accidentally put my workout bra on. It was pinching me ruthlessly throughout the movie, until I did the old “pull your arms into your sleeves and take the bra off” trick, stuffing it into my purse. Again, glad to have no witnesses.

As far as Emma Watson goes, she’ll always have that innocent and childlike glow about her, but Luke Evans as “Gaston”? Now there’s a prize to sing about! Sure, he’s sort of a jerk, unlike the other roles he’s played, and it was a nice switcheroo for a change, but he’s always hot. His sidekick LaFou, played by Josh Gad (the fun voice playing “Olaf” in Frozen) did a fabulous job as he always does. And the two of them appear to get along marvelously, as they do on this prank! But even being naughty, Luke Evans couldn’t be on Santa’s Naughty List because, according to Gaston, he’s worth every look. And, as a single, middle-aged divorcee, I’d have to agree. Still, all three men got along great.

The animation of the film was beautifully done with only a few, minor errors, but a film is film and the important aspects are the storyline and actors, like one of my favorites, Kevin Kline. There were some big names involved in this movie, most of whom couldn’t be placed by their voice alone, as Ian McKellen and Emma Thompson. Ewan McGregor and Stanley Tucci are a couple of my all-time favorites.

No gore or specifically scary images, unless you count the Beast, but that’s not unexpected. And quite frankly, with those blue eyes, I sort of liked the big hairy Beast a fraction more than the timid-looking Dan Stevens. I’m unsure why, but he didn’t come across as the hero type if you get what I mean. He danced okay, but imagining him fighting off wolves? Not so much. Believe this role should have been someone brawnier.

Would my kids have enjoyed it? I doubt it. They’d rather see Boss Baby with Alec Baldwin. This movie was sort of a split. The storyline clung to the original tale for the most part, but the emotional state was for the more mature crowd.

I know everyone was ranting and raving over this movie’s original showing, but I’m glad I didn’t rush for tickets. Perhaps it would have been better in 3D. It’s evident a lot of time, energy, money, and overall work went into the making. I give it three stars. * * *